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Dumb Numbers
Background information
OriginLos Angeles, California, U.S.
GenresIndie rock, noise rock
Years active2012 (2012)–present
LabelsJoyful Noise
Websitedumbnumbers.com

Dumb Numbers is the musical project of Adam Harding. Harding selects musicians for each Dumb Numbers project from a large group of friends and collaborators.”[1][2] Lou Barlow, Dale Crover, Bobb Bruno (of Best Coast) and others contributed to the first two studio albums.[3]

A genre-defying act, Dumb Numbers musical style has been described variously as doom, sludge, and "swooning feedback pop," however there is general agreement that none of these labels are definitive.[4]

History

Adam Harding

Harding's native country is Australia. He began making music in the mid-90's. Prior to the debut of Dumb Numbers, Harding was better-known as a videographer (having directed music videos for DJ Shadow, Warpaint, Best Coast, Swervedriver, Sebadoh, Lou Barlow, and Magic Dirt).

The self-titled Debut was released on Joyful Noise Recordings in August 2013, with the single ("Redrum") premiering in the AV Club and in InSound's weekly mixtape.[5] The video for "Redrum", directed by David Yow, premiered in Rolling Stone, and Spin the following month.[6][7][8] Reviews of the album were generally positive, citing an atavistic and primal indie-rock sound.[9][10]

Since that time, Dumb Numbers II, the Stranger EP, and numerous other side-projects and singles have been released.[11]

In addition to his work on Dumb Numbers, Harding also plays in the super-group Kidbug.[12]

Personnel

The list of personnel involved with Dumb Numbers include, but is not exclusive to: Adam Harding, Murph (of Dinosaur Jr.), Bonnie Mercer (Warpaint, Swans), Steve Patrick (Useless Children, Magic Dirt), Lou Barlow (of Dinosaur Jr., Sebadoh, Folk Implosion et al), Dale Crover (of Melvins, Altamont, Nirvana), Toshi Kasai (of Deaf Nephews Studio in Los Angeles), David Yow (of Scratch Acid, The Jesus Lizard, Qui, Flipper), Bobb Bruno (of Best Coast), Thor Harris (Swans, Thor & Friends), Jenny Lee Lindberg (Warpaint) and others.

David Lynch (Blue Velvet, Twin Peaks) did the cover art for the first LP[13][14] and Malcolm Bucknall provided artwork for the second album.[15] Lynch and Harding released a seven inch split together on Joyful Noise Recordings in 2015.[16] David Yow (Jesus Lizard) directed a video for the debut album's single which appeared at Rolling Stone.

Discography

Studio albums

Title Year Label
Dumb Numbers 2013 Joyful Noise Recordings
Dumb Numbers II 2016 Joyful Noise Recordings

EPs

Title Year Label
Stranger EP 2017 Joyful Noise Recordings
Broken Pipe EP 2020 Joyful Noise Recordings

Touring

The band's roster for live shows fluctuates depending upon the touring schedule of members. Personnel who consistently appear onstage during Dumb Numbers shows include Harding, Murph (of Dinosaur Jr.), Bonnie Mercer, and Steve Patrick. Dumb Numbers toured with the Lemonheads, My Bloody Valentine, and Sebadoh during the latter half of 2013.[17][18] Reports of the band's live performances on tour were positive. According to the Brooklyn Vegan, "Their sludgy, doom went over pretty good."[19][20]

References

  1. ^ "Dumb Numbers Debuts". Joyful Noise Recordings. Retrieved November 5, 2013.
  2. ^ Seury, Marion (September 2013). "Dumb Numbers". New Noise Magazine. Retrieved November 5, 2013.
  3. ^ "Various - 2012 Winter Sampler". Discogs. December 19, 2012. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
  4. ^ Weingarten, Christopher (August 5, 2013). "Stream Dumb Numbers' Swooning Feedback-Pop Self-Titled Debut Album". Spin. Retrieved November 17, 2013.
  5. ^ Eakin, Marah (July 16, 2013). "Listen to the new track from indie rock semi-supergroup Dumb Numbers". AV Club. Retrieved November 5, 2013.
  6. ^ Luerrsen, John D. (August 13, 2013). "Dumb Numbers' Story 'Tells Itself' in 'Redrum' – Premiere". Rolling Stone. Retrieved November 5, 2013.
  7. ^ McGovern, Kyle (August 13, 2013). "Dumb Numbers Teams With Jesus Lizard Singer for Freaky 'Redrum' Video". Spin Magazine. Retrieved November 5, 2013.
  8. ^ "Dumb Numbers release LP, to tour with The Lemonheads (2013)". Ghettoblaster. August 8, 2013. Retrieved November 5, 2013.
  9. ^ Gumshoe. "Dumb Numbers". tinymixtapes. Retrieved November 15, 2013.
  10. ^ Spicer, Justin. "Agitated Atmosphere: Dumb Numbers Debuts". KEXP. Retrieved November 15, 2013.
  11. ^ "Dumb Numbers | Joyful Noise Recordings". joyfulnoiserecordings.com. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
  12. ^ "Kidbug | Kidbug | Joyful Noise Recordings | Joyful Noise Recordings". joyfulnoiserecordings.com. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
  13. ^ "Roots Vinyl Guide". rootsvinylguide.com. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
  14. ^ "Stream Dumb Numbers' Swooning Feedback-Pop Self-Titled Debut Album". Spin. August 5, 2013. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
  15. ^ "Designer's Liners: Dumb Numbers II Cover Art | Joyful Noise Recordings". joyfulnoiserecordings.com. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
  16. ^ "Dumb Numbers - Split Series w/ Lynch, Melvins, Yow | Joyful Noise Recordings". joyfulnoiserecordings.com. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
  17. ^ Pearis, Bill (October 25, 2013). "Dumb Numbers released guest-filled LP (Lou Barlow, David Yow, Dale Crover & more), opening for MBV (dates, streams)". BrooklynVegan. Retrieved November 5, 2013.
  18. ^ "Dumb Numbers release LP, to tour with The Lemonheads (2013)". Ghettoblaster. August 8, 2013. Retrieved November 5, 2013.
  19. ^ Pearis, Bill (November 13, 2013). "My Bloody Valentine played Hammerstein Ballroom w/ Dumb Numbers". Brooklyn Vegan. Retrieved November 15, 2013.
  20. ^ Slaybaugh, Stephen. "My Bloody Valentine @ Hammerstein Ballroom: November 11, 2013". CMJ. Retrieved November 17, 2013.
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